Title
Discuss and Provide Recommendations Concerning Potential Amendments to Article VIII (Sunshine Ordinance) of Chapter II (Administration) of the Alameda Municipal Code, as Amended, Concerning Special Meetings, Including the Setting and Noticing of Such Meetings
Body
To: Chair Schwartz and Members of the Open Government Commission
BACKGROUND
On June 2, 2020, Councilmember Vella introduced a referral to consider amending the Sunshine Ordinance relating to special meeting noticing requirements. The item was heard on and continued to the June 16, 2020 regular meeting. See Exhibit 1 (Councilmember Vella Referral re Special Meetings).
At the June 16th meeting, Councilmember Vella asked that the Council approve the referral and to send the item for initial consideration by the Open Government Commission ("Commission"). Councilmember Vella's referral states the purpose of the referral is to consider amending noticing requirements for special meetings with the interests of "transparency and in increasing public engagement" in mind. The item and the Commission's recommendation would then return to the Council for their final consideration at a future meeting.
DISCUSSION
AMC Section 2-91.4 (f)
Under existing local law, calling a special meeting is governed by the City's Sunshine Ordinance. The Ordinance specifies that special meetings may be convened with seven (7) days' written notice to each member of the body holding the special meeting or members of the media who have specifically requested such notice. For ease of reference, AMC Section 2-91.4.f is reproduced in its entirety below:
f. Special meetings of any policy body, including passive meeting bodies that choose to establish regular meeting times, may be called at any time by the presiding officer thereof or by a majority of the members thereof, by delivering personally or by mail written notice to each member of such body and the local media who have requested written notice of special meetings in w...
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